How do you control tension?

rascaljim · Post by **rascaljim** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:25 am

I was wondering what you're personal method of keeping all your tension out of your tuba playing is. I currently am trying to get mine under control and am looking for additional ideas.

Thanks
Jim

tubajoe · Post by **tubajoe** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:18 pm

Jim, you mention you are in Chicago --

Call John Henes and take a few Alexander Technique lessons. He'll set you (sitting up) straight. (and get rid of all tension)

scottmendoker · Post by **scottmendoker** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:39 pm

1 - Go to:www.dongreene.com
2 - Buy his latest 2 books: "Audition Success" and "Performance Success"
3 - Do the online Performer's Profile (you'll need to have his "Performance Success" to get the password AND use Internet Explorer or you won't get past the 1st page of the Profile)
Amazon.com has both books in stock, usually, but since you live in Chicago you may find them in some place like the DePaul Book Store.
It's REALLY worth your effort. I also second the suggestion concerning Alexander Technique.

Good Luck -
Scott Mendoker

Tubaman485 · Post by **Tubaman485** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:59 pm

Breathing Gym, they have great tension release excersises with muscles and then some breathing stuff to release tension. I find Yoga breathing helps me relax alot.

Josh

MaryAnn · Post by **MaryAnn** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 2:47 pm

Besides the previous good advice, make sure that your tuba "fits" you. Last Friday I play tested a very nice Besson 983; hoo boy...I could just barely reach the 4th valve on full arm stretch; the leadpipe was at such a height that I had to sit the tuba on my legs, and the angle was such that it was parallel to my legs, so I had to squeeze them together to keep it high enough; and the right hand was a long reach too. Within ten minutes I was dripping sweat from the effort of suspending it, and realized I better go put it back in the case before I dropped it. I didn't really even get a chance to see how it played because the physical struggle to hold it was so intense.

MA, who has eliminated a whole segment of Eb tubas from consideration

Uncle Buck · Post by **Uncle Buck** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:03 pm

My favorite relaxation exercise is one that can be done many times during a practice session. Stop and tighten/lift your shoulders as tight as you can for about 10 seconds. When you relax and drop them down, take a slow, deep breath and then go back to playing.

JayW · Post by **JayW** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:09 pm

drop $15-20 and get yourself a Yoga video.... try it a few times.... if nothing else the warm up and cool down exercises they do are exceelent as relaxing your body.

Captain Sousie · Post by **Captain Sousie** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 5:05 pm

I second the Alexander Technique as well as warming up well every morning. It will take off a lot of mental pressure and tension and that translates to less physical tension.

My 0.08 bits,
Sousie

Matt G · Post by **Matt G** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 5:08 pm

Tai Chi

tubaman5150 · Post by **tubaman5150** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 5:13 pm

Jonathantuba wrote:I am not sure it you are refering to physical tension, or mental tension. If it is the latter, then what I do is to think positive! Think how great it will be to show off what a good player you are and not worry so much about what might go wrong. That confidence will come with practicing whatever you are performing so you know you can play it - with that, the tension will disappear.

Good advice.

rascaljim · Post by **rascaljim** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 8:10 pm

I recently saw John Hennes do a master class on alexander technique about three weeks ago in my Orchestral Seminar class at Roosevelt with Henry Fogel. We've also had a guest teach us some basics with yoga as well as Steve Duke teaching Feldenkaris Method. All of these things has had an impact on not only bringing to my attention some tensions I didn't even know I had as well as show me some ways to deal with it. Hence the post, being I've had all these new insites on things and I want to know what else is out there that I haven't checked out yet. I also use the breathing gym here and there... I'm actually trying to find enough time to do it daily. We'll see what happens.

Thanks for the posts
Jim

Gorilla Tuba · Post by **Gorilla Tuba** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 8:12 pm

Valium!

dtemp · Post by **dtemp** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:51 pm

Matthew Gilchrest wrote:Tai Chi

If that doesn't work, a nice cup of Chai Tea always calms me down...

Captain Sousie · Post by **Captain Sousie** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:03 pm

dtemp wrote:
Matthew Gilchrest wrote:Tai Chi
If that doesn't work, a nice cup of Chai Tea always calms me down...

And after working at Starbucks, I can positively say that the two are NOT interchangable.

ai698 · Post by **ai698** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:42 pm

Dylan King · Post by **Dylan King** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 4:22 am

May I suggest relaxing at a nice, mellow coffee shop.

JayW · Post by **JayW** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:16 am

Ahhh.....now the last two are DEFINITELY relaxing....and when combined allow you to reach a level of relaxation unknown to most...

MartyNeilan · Post by **MartyNeilan** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 3:54 pm

Having a big steaming bowl of pasta with marinara sauce and then taking a huge poop.

Tubaguyjoe · Post by **Tubaguyjoe** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:16 pm

try doing a series of stretching before you practice. Stretch your arms, your legs, your back, your whole body, try to touch your toes and just stretch out for a good 5 minutes everytime you practice. Before a big performance or competition I always try my best to go and get a full body massage too. It really helps relieve the tension quite a bit. best of luck. -Joe

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:51 pm

MartyNeilan wrote:Having a big steaming bowl of pasta with marinara sauce and then taking a huge poop.

(did he really say that?)

TubeNet

How do you control tension?

How do you control tension?

Relaxation Exercise